Our bathrooms are our private sanctuaries. This is the room where we spend a great deal of time washing and preparing ourselves to face the world. Unfortunately, everything that washes off of us seems to end up trapped in here — in the tub, on the toilet, on the floor, on the walls, on the mirror. No wonder it is one of the least favorite places to clean. The following ideas can help you achieve sparkling success much faster.

Pre-soak

Whether or not you love your commercial cleaning product or rely on some lemon juice, tea tree oil and water to get your bathroom tip top, everyone can benefit from a pre-soak. Simply spray your faucets and your toilet from top to bottom and give it a moment. You will love how all the yucky stuff liquefies and you can simply clean up with some disposable paper towels or a scrub brush. Using a rag works as well but make sure you wash it in hot water with a good detergent when finished. Sometimes, when dealing with biohazards and bodily wastes, disposable is better as far as terminating germs goes.

Baking soda is your friend

If you have a dirty tub surround due to grimy caulking or gritty tile grout, simply rely on baking soda to get into those tough areas. The fine paste created by adding a minute bit of water to some baking soda makes an incredible paste that is ideal for conquering grime. It’s easy to see how someone thought baking soda would be a great addition to toothpaste and facial scrubs. Keep some under the sink as well to take care of gardening hands or feet.

Vinegar, water and newspaper

Sometimes, you end up using what you have on hand and discover that it works better than any chemical cleanser that you have to wear rubber gloves to apply. Traditional vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle works excellent for cleaning all your glass mirrors and windows. Feel good about putting your used newspaper in the recycling bin afterward like you normally would. You don’t have to dispose of your cleaning utensils in the garbage due to their chemical components when you’ve only used vinegar and water.

A little elbow grease goes a long way

Prepare to put your muscle into it if need be. More than likely, you are cleaning something that has potentially been neglected for some time. This means that a decent layer of crud has grown in layers and may be tricky to dissolve. Have some tools in your arsenal to keep you prepared:

  • Old toothbrush
  • Scrub brush
  • Flat Screwdriver
  • Butter knife
  • Metal Scraper
  • Silicone Scraper
  • 220 Grit Sandpaper

Reward yourself with a bubble bath

It’s important to celebrate our victories and enjoy our successes. There is nothing more rewarding after a hard day of scrubbing grime than having a hot soak in the tub. Make sure you are stocked up on some Epsom salts to help draw any toxins out of your system and soothe your muscles simultaneously. Light a candle and turn the lights low; it’s vital to rest your eyes. Exfoliate your face and body with some of that trusty baking soda you have on-hand and feel fresh and clean after spending time fighting the war against grime.